Page 72 of Mischief Mayhem

He pulled against his bindings like he was one second from getting free, but Gabriella only moved on, going to the man standing in front of Skulls.

“Do it,” she said moments before he pulled the trigger, painting the wall with more Rose red.

I growled and yanked against my restraints, the sharp plastic digging into my skin at another brother’s death. I didn’t know him very well, but he’d sworn himself to the same MC as me. We were family by oath, if nothing else.

I’ll kill her for this. I will.

The tape around my wrists gave, and I yanked farther, pleased when my own blood mixed with my sweaty hands and enabled me to slip my thumb through the opening. I minimized my movements, keeping my gaze on the man with a gun pointed between my eyebrows.

We were outnumbered at least three to one, but I’d faced worse odds and I’d bet these fuckers were underestimating our women. Selene had the best shot in this room and the worst bloodlust. She could get out of a pair of cuffs faster than anyone alive, and twenty bucks said she’d already thought through an escape plan. Ru and V had been shooting since we were kids, and all I’d have to do would be to cause a scene to get it started. KC had been training Alba since they got together, and I’d seen the piece she carried in her purse. She could handle herself much better now than the last time these Caputi fucks had come for her.

I eased my hand out of the bindings, forcing myself to take as deep a breath as I could before Gabriella went to Hollister, nearly a spitting image of his brother next to him. They had the same enchanting eyes, the same dark skin, the same genetic beauty they’d both inherited from their mother. I knew what it was to suffer through the loss of my only sibling, and I wanted to spare Wheels from that if I could.

But how?

I made eye contact with Selene, whose gaze darted between me and KC, attempting to get our attention.

Are we doing this? I tried to ask with my eyes.

She gave me one slight nod, as if to suggest she’d be ready if I started something.

Then, my attention went again to V, who gave me a red-rimmed stare with tears streaking down her cheeks.

I’m sorry, I tried to tell her. I love you. I love you, and I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

She shook her head, widening her eyes as if she could tell what I planned and didn’t want me to hurt myself. But if it got her out of this, if she’d be safe, I’d do much worse.

“Hey!” I shouted, causing Gabriella to stop and turn to me. “You wanna know where Leo is?” I had to sit back on my heels to finish it, my lungs unable to inhale fully. “I’ll tell you.”

Seemingly intrigued, she came back to me, straightening her blazer with curiosity in her eyes. “Okay. Talk.”

Julia widened her eyes, her poor broken body writhing on the floor as she looked at me, practically begging me to keep my damned mouth shut. But I’d seen enough. The time was now. If I didn’t act, I was going to watch this cunt kill everyone I loved, and I had no desire to see that.

You told me it wasn’t my time, Trojan. I sure hope you’re right.

25

VERONA

My chest caved in on itself when Hollywood spoke up because I knew what he planned to do. I’d seen it in his eyes moments before he said anything, and I remembered what Selene had said about him. He believed himself to be dispensable, just a lowly MC grunt with no one in his corner.

That may have been true the first time he got shot for this club, but it wasn’t anymore. I’d watched these heartless vultures steal two club members from me. I wasn’t about to sit here while they killed the love of my life and the rest of my family.

“I took him to a safe house.” Hollywood winced as he moved, and the blood pooling on his shirt had my heart in shambles. I couldn’t tell how bad the injury was, and that made me even more anxious. Selene moved next to me, silently slipping out of her restraints. “I kept him there until his knee got infected.”

“Infected?” Gabriella’s shrill voice sent shivers down my spine. “What are you talking about? Where is he now?”

I bit harder into the gag around my mouth, trying to keep myself from crying out. My muscles trembled, adrenaline shooting through my veins, begging me to do something—anything.

“I told you.” Hollywood twisted his features into a wicked smile. “He’s dead. I killed him.”

“Boss,” said the man holding a gun in front of me, lowering the pistol. “Maybe he’s right. We haven’t seen any signs of Leo in months.”

“No. He’s lying. They’re all lying.” Gabriella growled and grabbed the gun out of his hands before walking over to Hollister, pointing it at his head, and pulling the trigger.

I sobbed as Wheels cried out, pulling against his bindings, trying to get up so he could take out his vengeance on this sadistic bitch. This wasn’t an interrogation. This was a slaughter, and we were unlikely to make it out alive. Gabriella lowered the gun at Wheels next, his chin quivering as he held back his rage.

Julia’s soft ridiculing laughter stopped Gabriella and sent a chill down my spine. She turned to her niece, who pushed herself up so she could stare down her aunt with the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut.